§ Mr. ANEURIN BEVAN(by Private Notice) asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can say what steps he is 329 taking to deal with the situation arising from the threatened closing down of the Ebbw Vale Steel Works?
§ The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Mr. J. H. Thomas)I have had a number of discussions with all the interests concerned in this matter. I should like to take this opportunity of disposing of the exaggerated and alarmist statements that have been made. In the first place, it should be made plain that, although some part of the works are being closed, the stoppage, like others that occur in this and other steel works, is caused by a temporary dislocation of materials and orders. Further, less than 1,800 men are being temporarily stood off, but I am assured that a resumption of work is confidently anticipated within the next two or three weeks.
§ Mr. REMERCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Robert Heath and Low Moor Steel Works at Biddulph, are permanently closed down?
§ Mr. THOMASI do not know what are the other steel works referred to, but I have availed myself of this opportunity, and I think the House will agree with me, to try and check the tendency, perhaps, of stopping orders going to the works, because of alarmist statements in the Press, that are not justified. It is far better to reassure the public that there is not anything fundamentally wrong in the works than merely to allow Press statements to cause disproportionate disadvantages, whereby consider-able harm may be done.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGECan the right hon. Gentleman say how far the shortage of orders is due to the action of the Government?
§ Mr. REMERWill the right hon. Gentleman take the same action in regard to the works which I have named as in the case of the South Wales steel works?
§ Mr. THOMASI do not know whether it is possible, but I should like to remind the hon. Member that this involves action by the banks as well as by the Government, and the less said about it the better.